Ban sparks mass quit attempt
7:18pm Friday 3rd August 2007 in News By Jane Lavender
The number of people vowing to stub it out now the smoking ban has been introduced has soared by almost 60 per cent.
A total of 209 people contacted Bolton's Stop Smoking Service throughout July, compared to just 92 people in the same month last year.
Health bosses also predict dozens more will be quitting smoking on their own.
Adrian Butterworth, manager of Bolton's Stop Smoking Service, said: "The new smoke-free regulations have motivated large numbers of people to approach the service for support, and I'm sure that many more will have started to quit on their own.
"Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health and your chances of quitting are four times greater with support from your local NHS service."
In June, 262 people tried to give up smoking with the help of smoking cessation advisors - a rise of over 300 per cent compared to June 2006.
Between April, 2006, and April this year, the number of people stubbing it out in Bolton with the Stop Smoking Service increased massively to 2,204, smashing the Government target of 2,099.
In the previous 12-month period, the number of people quitting was 2,149.
In Bolton, 29.6 per cent of people smoke, and in some areas, such as Johnson Fold, this figure can be as high as 65 per cent. The national average is 27 per cent.
The Bolton News launched its Stub It Out campaign when these figures were revealed, calling for a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places, including pubs, clubs and private members bars.
Last February MPs voted with a massive majority for such a ban and it was introduced on July 1.
Anyone caught flouting the ban will face a £50 fixed penalty notice and businesses permitting people to smoke on their premises could be slapped with a £2,500.
Town centre landlord Nick Hogan is allowing people to smoke in his two pubs - The Swan and Barristers - but council bosses are preparing to set a court date for him.
One smoker, Gerad Hart, has already been issued with a £50 fixed penalty notice for lighting up in Barristers which he is refusing to pay.
